Can opener



Apr. 3, 1923.

J. B. SAN

CAN OPENER Filed June 24, 1922 glwuvzn coz 6a m Jets.

Patented Apr. 3, i923.

STATES JAMES BLY SANDERS, OF BASIC, VIRGINIA.

CAN OPENER.

Application filed June 24, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES B. SANDERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Basic, in the county of Augusta and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can Openers; and

I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to a cutting implement such as a paring knife and can opener, and has for its object the provision of an article of this nature which admits of adj ustment of the blade whereby the same may be lengthened or shortened as required to best adapt the implement for the particular work in hand.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves as the nature of the invention is understood.

NVhile the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet difierent conditions and reqtiirements, various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application,

Figure l is a perspective view of a combined can opener and paring knife embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse central longitudinal section thereof,

Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 2, taken in the plane of the blade-receiving kerf and in front of the blade, and

Figure 4 is an end view of the implement.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The implement comprises a handle 1 having a kerf 2 in an end portion to receive a blade 3, the latter having its projecting end tapered and curved laterally. Both edges of the blade 3 are sharpened so that either 5 edge may be utilized as preferred. A heavy ferrule 4: is fitted to the end of the handle 1 having the kerf 2 and is provided in a side with a threaded opening to receive a clamp screw 5, the inner end of which is adapted Serial No. 570,591.

to engage a side of the handle to admit of compressing the same and contracting the kerf 2, whereby to clamp the blade 3. The ferrule 4 is heavy so as to sustain the stress and provide ample engagement of the clamp screw 5 therewith. A sleeve 6 of thin metal is fitted to the end of the handle 1 having the kerf 2 and closes the latter and conceals the ferrule at. The sleeve 6 provides a finish and closes the kerf. The sleeve 6 is retained in place by frictional engagement with the handle 1, but should it become loose, displacement is prevented by means of the clamp screw 5 which extends through an opening formed in a side thereof.

The blade 3 is adjustable in the kerf :2, whereby its curved tapered end may be projected. beyond the handle to a greater or less extent as required. After the blade has been adjusted, it is made secure by turning the clamp screw 5, whereby the adjacent side of the handle 1 is pressed inwardly thereby contracting the kerf 2 and clamping the blade 3. A plurality of notches '7 are formed in the outer end of the ferrule at and are adapted to receive the edge of the can when the implement is used as an opener therefor. The notched portion of the ferrule 4!. acts as a fulcrum for the implement when used as a can opener, the edge of the can being received in a selected notch 7 to space the blade 3 from the side of the can as may be required.

What is claimed is:

An implement of the character specified comprising a handle having a kerf in an end portion thereof, a heavy. ferrule fitted to the end of the handle through which the kerf extends, a blade adjustable in the kerf, a sleeve encircling the ferrule and the end of the handle provided with the kerf, and a clamp screw passing through the sleeve and having screw thread engagement with said ferrule and adapted to compress a portion of the handle at one side of the kerf to contract the latter and clamp the blade therein.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES BLY SANDERS.

lVitnesses HUGH J. MOMILLAN, LOUIS F. JORDAN. 

